Nick's Auto Advice Newsletter - August 2007

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                     Shocks or Struts...Or Both?

You're driving down a beautiful country road on a Sunday morning; taking in the sights and enjoying the the peaceful ride. All is grand...except that because you were enjoying the scenery so much, you hit a large pot hole in the road. What does your car do? Does it

A) Handle the bump with ease and allow you to continue on your morning drive or

B) Cause your car to bounce for the next 1/4 mile or so?

If you chose A, I hope you enjoyed your Sunday drive. But if you chose B, chances are that your car is in need of shocks and/or struts. Bad shocks and/or struts aren't just uncomfortable, they're also dangerous.  Let's take a look at three of the most common questions asked concerning the performance and maintenance of shocks and struts:

What is the difference between shocks and struts?

It is important to note that not all vehicles have both shocks and struts. Some have just struts and some vehicles have only shocks. While they are both very similar in function, they are very different in design. The job of both is to control excessive spring motion; however, struts are also a structural component of the suspension.

Shocks
Shocks are part of the overall suspension of your vehicle. While most people think that the shocks are what absorb your "hitting the bumps in the road", it is actually the springs that serve that purpose. Shocks aid in dampening the spring as it bounces. If you didn't have shocks what would happen? You got it, your car would be very difficult to handle and would bounce continuously.

Struts
Struts provide structural support for the vehicle suspension. That means struts deliver a bit more than shock absorbers, which don't support vehicle weight -- they only control the speed at which weight is transferred in a car, not the weight itself.

How many miles do shocks and struts last?

There are other factors that affect the life of a shock or strut, such as, weather conditions, driving habits, loading of the vehicle, tire / wheel modifications, and the general mechanical condition of the suspension and tires. As a basic rule of thumb, you should have your shocks and/or struts inspected by the ASE Certified Technicians at Nick's Precision Automotive every 12 months or 12,000 miles.

How do I know when my shocks or struts need to be replaced?

The symptoms of worn shocks and/or struts are:

Vehicle rolls or sways on turns
Front end dives when braking
Rear end squats when accelerating
Vehicle bounces or slides sideways on a winding, rough road
Vehicle "bottoms out" (with a thump) on bumps


Because shocks and struts have so much to do with the handling of a car, they can be considered critical safety features. Worn shocks and struts can allow excessive vehicle-weight transfer from side to side and front to back. This reduces the tire's ability to grip the road, as well as handling and braking performance.

If you have any questions or comments, you can email me at nick@nicksautomotive.com or request an appointment here.

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We hope you enjoyed this newsletter and found the tips helpful. Please call us with any questions or concerns about your vehicle at 203-366-4775. You can email me directly at nick@nicksautomotive.com or request an appointment here. If you have a billing question you can email Tara at tara@nicksautomotive.com We'll be waiting to hear from you!

Servicing Your Car Care Needs
Nick Gramigna